Police in Paris used a water cannon on Saturday to disperse protesters near Place de la République, where a large and diverse demonstration against the rising cost of living was set to begin. Prior to deploying the water cannon, law enforcement utilized tear gas in response to several hundred protesters, many of whom were masked and dressed in black. Some protesters were reportedly launching fireworks, according to an AFP journalist on the scene. A vehicle was also set on fire in the same area, and this was met with applause from some within the crowd, sources report. The demonstration was organized to protest the "high cost of living." AFP sources were present to document the events.